Shoe shank stiffener



May 28, 1935. c, MOORE 2,002,707

sHoE SHANK S'IiFFENER Filed Sept. 5. 1934 Inve @302: 7@9@5@2 M M002 0. Z7; V 4/ Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to shank stiffeners for boots and shoes, and especially for use in boots and shoes made by the cement process, or composhoes, as they are called.

My invention aims to provide a novel and improved stilfener and shoe having, among others, the advantages hereinafter described.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, .filed December 20, 1.130, for which Letters Patent No. 1,977,451 were issued October 16, 1934. V

In the drawing of the embodiment of my invention shown and described herein:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the stiffener, partly broken out; i

Fig. 2 is a side or edge view;

Figs. 3 and 4 each show, for convenienca'a conventional manner of constructing the shank of a shoe at the present time, using a usual stiffener Fig. 5 shows a method of constructing a shoe shank embodying my novel shank stiffener.

In the manufacture of womens and childrens shoes, and some-mens shoes, and where the sole.

and shank are narrow, particularly when the shank is to be finished with a narrow, convex surface, it is customary to use a thin metallic shank stiffener to support and give the desired arch to the shank of the shoe.

In the case of shoes with such narrow shanks, after the uppers 5 have been lasted down upon the shank of the insole, 6, or shank piece if it is used, there is but little space left on the insole for the shank stiffener A; and it is either commonly positioned on top of the edges 3, 4, of the lasted uppers, and there secured to the insole 6,

see Fig. 3, or, Fig. 4, the edges 3, 4, of the uppers 5 are cut back to form a narrow channel, B, so that the stifiener may lie between the opposite edges of the uppers upon the insole, and be there secured thereto.

In the first case, as in Fig. 3, the edges of the uppers and lining must first be buffed down as smoothly as possible, and even then, securing the stiffener on top of the uppers results in the stiffener being insecurely, and frequently unevenly anchored, and it does not accurately conform to the arch of the last, nor hold the shoe arch in position; further, it also results in leaving a longitudinal ridge at the center of the shank, particularly as the edges 3, 4, of the'uppers underlying the shank will not adhere permanently thereto.

Ifthe second method is used, see Fig. 4, it reduces the area of theedges of the uppersused for lasting,'and this results in insecure lasting,

and, if the shoe is a cemented shoe, the reduced width of the upper edges 3, 4, to be cemented to the insole 6 weakens the construction; furthermore, as the cemented outsole will not stick to the stiffener A, the area to which the outsole can 5 be cemented is reduced to such an extent that the outsole is insec'urely cemented, and liable to break away from the uppers.

To meet this difficulty, Fig. 1, I have conceived the idea" of covering the shank l with either a suitable jacket 2, as of textile material, as in my application Ser. No. 503,801 above referred to, or as herein, with a coating or film 2 of cement or other suitable material, to which the usual shoe cement will adhere.

I preferan air-drying composition, such as shellac, or latex or compo-cement, or the like, which, when covering the surface of the stiffener and properly hardened, will form a suitable anchorage for cementing thereto the insole or upper edges and the outsole. After the edges 3, 4, of the upper 5 are lasted to the insole 6, Fig. 5, the stiffener is secured at the heel, Fig. 5, as by a tack i through the hole 8, in proper position at the shank of the shoe upon the insole, and the edges of the lasted uppers cemented or otherwise fastened thereto.

vThe outsole 9 is then laidupon the surface of the lasted uppers and stiffener, and cemented thereto, or otherwise secured, thus preserving and utilizing the full width of the shank stiffener, as well as that of the adjoining shank area of the lasted uppers of the shoe, for an anchorage for the outsole, and ensuring much stronger and more desirable construction, both for the uppers and outsole.

The film adheres closely and conforms to the stiffener surface, without increasing substantially its bulk, and also has a non-squeaking contact with the shoe parts. 40

This permits the shank to be finished as desired, without loss of strength or attractiveness in appearance.

Or, if preferred, of course, either of the above referred to present forms of lasting the upper may be continued for any reason that may obtain, and either secure the novel stiffener on top of the lasted upper edges as in Fig. 3, or cut the edges away to accommodate the stiffener, as in Fig. 4.

My invention is not restricted to the precise em- 59 bodiment thereof shown and described.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a resilient metal shank stiffener enveloped by a film adhering and conforming closely to its surface without adding materially to its bulk, said film being shellac adhering and conforming closely to its composed of an air drying fluid composition surfaces.

solidified on the stiffener, and adapted to have a 3. As an article of manufacture, a resilient non-squeaking contact with shoe parts between metal shank stiffener enveloped by a film of 5 which the stifiener is interposed. cementitious material.

2. As an article of manufacture, a resilient metal shank stiffener enveloped by a film of CHESTER M. MOORE. 

